He was also a craftsman of bomba instruments, specializing in maracas.
On Thursday, Puerto Rican musician and composer Mario Cepeda Brenes, known as “the voice of bomba,” passed away at the age of 73, leaving behind an invaluable cultural legacy.
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Cepeda was born into a family fundamental to Puerto Rican bomba, a musical tradition originating in San Mateo de Cangrejos. He distinguished himself as a singer, composer, drummer, dancer, and bomba instructor, becoming a leading figure in the genre and a mentor to those who learned from his style.
He was also a craftsman of bomba instruments, specializing in maracas, contributing to the material and sonic preservation of this musical tradition with African, Taino, and Spanish roots.
Institutions such as the Rafael Cepeda School and groups like Labombava expressed messages of condolence and recognition for his artistic and cultural career.
La Administración Municipal de Bayamón y el alcalde, Hon. Ramón Luis Rivera Cruz, lamentan profundamente la partida física de un coloso de nuestra cultura Descanse en paz y vuele alto, maestro del tambor.
"Porque cuando Puerto Rico comprenda el valor de su folklore, luchará con… pic.twitter.com/BbPCIUT1Pv
— Ciudad de Bayamón (@ciudadebayamon) July 16, 2026
The text reads, “The Bayamon Municipal Administration and the mayor, Hon. Ramóon Luis Rivera, deeply lament the physical departure of a colossus of our culture. Rest in peace and fly high, master of the drum.”
The bust of his brother Modesto Cepeda, founder of the school, and the work of Rafael Cepeda Jr., a distinguished dancer who collaborated with Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro, keep the family legacy alive.
The bomba genre, which originated among African slaves in Puerto Rico, combines the buleador drum, cua, maraca, and primo drum, with rhythms such as sica, holande, and yuba, accompanied by the dancer’s improvisation.
The song has gained new followers thanks to its inclusion in productions by contemporary artists such as Rauw Alejandro and Bad Bunny, who have revitalized its international reach and its connection with new generations.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Puerto Rico: Hundreds of people took to the streets of San Juan to denounce United States military aggression against Venezuela and express their solidarity with the South American country. pic.twitter.com/PV06if0LqH
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) January 7, 2026
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
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